Malawi to Recruit More Teachers in Support of Free Secondary Education

The Malawi Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of Free Secondary Education (FSE) in public schools, emphasizing its dedication to ensuring equitable access to quality education across the country. The announcement comes following the mid-year budget review address by His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, the President of the Republic of Malawi.

Free primary and secondary education is recognized as a fundamental human right under international law. It ensures that every child has the opportunity to access quality education without discrimination. Malawi aligns with international frameworks such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which obliges states to provide free education at all levels. Moreover, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) emphasizes the importance of completing free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education by 2030.

Background of Free Secondary Education in Malawi

Malawi’s national vision, Malawi 2063, prioritizes human capital development through investment in education, skills, and health. Education is a key enabler, with the National Education Sector Implementation Plan (2020–2030) mandating twelve years of formal education, including secondary schooling, for all children.

The Government’s FSE initiative is designed to remove financial barriers to secondary education. It is part of a broader effort to improve access, reduce dropout rates, and support sustainable development.

Implementation Strategy

Free Secondary Education will be implemented through several key measures:

• Abolition of Examination and ID Fees: All fees charged by the Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) for national examinations in public primary and secondary schools have been abolished.
• Removal of School Development Fund (SDF) and User Fees: Effective 1st January 2026, day secondary school students will no longer pay any fees, as SDF contributions and other user fees are funded directly by the government.
• Boarding Schools: Government boarding secondary schools will continue to collect boarding fees as prescribed, while open public secondary schools (OSS) will also continue fee collection until further notice.
• Grant-Aided Schools: Schools operating under the Association of Christian Educators in Malawi (ACEM) will receive direct government grants covering SDF and other fees. Boarding fees remain payable by students where applicable.

To prepare for the 2026 school term, the government has already disbursed the first tranche of funding to Education Division offices, ensuring that schools can operate smoothly at the start of the term. Additional funds will be provided before the end of January 2026. Funding allocations will vary according to student enrollment, guaranteeing fairness across all public schools regardless of location or category.

Teacher Recruitment Plans

While enrolment into public secondary schools will continue to be controlled through merit-based selection in the initial stages, the Ministry of Education has announced plans to recruit more teachers in the 2026/27 financial year. This measure aims to support the introduction of double shifting in some schools for the 2026/27 academic year, increasing the number of students who can access secondary education.

Double shifting is expected to maximize classroom utilization, reduce overcrowding, and ensure that the increasing number of students benefiting from FSE have access to adequate teaching staff. The planned recruitment reflects the government’s proactive approach to maintaining high-quality education while expanding access to more learners across Malawi.

Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement

The Ministry has engaged extensively with stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of FSE. Consultations involved ACEM, bursary providers, Head Teachers, and various education associations, including the Malawi Secondary School Head Teachers Association (MASSHA) and the Secondary School Teachers Association (SESTU).

These engagements are designed to create a collaborative framework between the government, schools, and education partners, ensuring that resources are properly allocated and that the introduction of free secondary education is successful.

 

The Malawi Government emphasizes that the sustainability of Free Secondary Education depends on the shared commitment of all stakeholders, including schools, parents, education associations, and funding partners. By providing free secondary education and planning to recruit additional teachers, the government seeks to significantly enhance human capital development, consistent with the objectives of Malawi 2063.

The Ministry encourages all stakeholders to support the initiative and ensure that children from all socio-economic backgrounds can access secondary education. For further information or feedback on the program, individuals may contact Mr Samuel Chibwana via email at samuel.chibwana@education.gov or via WhatsApp/phone at +265 999 60 30 71.

This initiative demonstrates Malawi’s commitment to fulfilling international education obligations while addressing national development priorities through inclusive and high-quality secondary education.